Percentage of Young Americans With College Degrees Increases Slightly

07/12/2012

The share of young Americans who hold college degrees edged up in 2010, according to Education Department data to be released on Thursday but provided in advance to theAssociated Press. The proportion—39.3 percent of people age 25 to 34 in 2010, the most recent data available—still trails the level needed to attain President Obama’s goal of making the United States the nation with the highest portion of college graduates by 2020. The figures, which amount to a 0.5-percent increase over 2009, include recipients of associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. To achieve Mr. Obama’s goal, some 10 million more young people will need to earn a degree, according to Education Department figures cited by the AP.